Is remote learning effective? Western Pa. researchers, education experts weigh in
For Kelly Marsh, the pandemic wasn’t just a global health concern — it was a constant battle between a toddler’s curiosity and a kindergartner’s digital classroom. Nearly six years ago, the covid-19 pandemic forced schools worldwide to close doors and adapt to remote learning, almost overnight. Marsh was left to...
‘Everybody’s equal when they enter the show’: Greensburg Art Center to open annual member exhibit
Greeted by vibrant colors and soothing scenes, attendees of the Greensburg Art Center’s latest exhibit are sure to be put at ease, said Secretary Janice Decker. The art center, located at 230 Todd School Road in Hempfield, will open its annual member show on Saturday with a reception slated for...
‘Sole venture’: Latrobe family takes reins of longtime Mancuso’s Shoe Repair shop
The whirr of sewing machines and light mist of the steam cleaner filled Ron Mancuso’s nearly 50-year-old shoe repair shop Thursday morning as he continued his family’s decades-old tradition: passing along the tricks of the trade. Earlier this month, Latrobe resident Christine Marquis took the reins of Mancuso’s Shoe Repair,...
Penn Township to gather public input on latest rezoning proposal
Penn Township will host a meeting next month to gather feedback on a series of proposed zoning changes. The meeting will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 9 in the cafeteria of Penn-Trafford High School, located at 3381 Route 130 in Penn Township. The rezoning plan is intended to...
Penn Township fires finance director after about 5 months on the job
The Penn Township commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday to fire Finance Director Jaime Peticca after about five months on the job. Peticca was hired by the township Aug. 20 to fill a vacancy left by Colleen Gain, who resigned in June. Township Secretary/Manager Mary Perez declined to comment on the reason...
‘It’s time’: Most Steelers fans welcome departure of coach Mike Tomlin
Forest Hills resident Juan Hernandez says there is no suitable successor for Mike Tomlin, who stepped down Tuesday as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. Tomlin, 53, went 193-114-2 with the team, tying hall-of-famer and former Steelers leader Chuck Noll for ninth place on the NFL all-time career...
Live Casino Pittsburgh to host Derry Area, Mt. Pleasant Area proms
Live Casino Pittsburgh is making its debut in offering to hold proms as Derry Area and Mt. Pleasant Area high schools plan to host their spring dances at the Hempfield venue. Both proms, scheduled on different dates, will be held in the casino’s Venue Live event space on the second...
Latrobe teacher, 18-time marathoner launches coaching business
Rachel Bankaci never considered herself an athlete in her youth. But with 18 marathons under her belt — and a 19th in the works — Bankaci has come a long way from her childhood days of watching track athletes compete in the Olympics. Now, Bankaci is a personal trainer and...
Penn-Trafford area: History talk, puzzle sale, Sportsman’s Bash, more
Bushy Run history talk Bushy Run Battlefield will host its next History Speaks talk at 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at its museum, 1253 Route 993 in Penn Township. Hempfield Area middle school social studies teacher Michael Giorgianni will teach attendees about the onset of the French and Indian War and...
$1 million scratch-off sold at North Huntingdon Walmart
A North Huntingdon Walmart store sold a $1 million-winning Jackpot Scratch-Off ticket, according to Pennsylvania Lottery. The store will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the ticket, according to Pennsylvania Lottery. Walmart store managers declined to comment when reached by TribLive over the phone. Jackpot is a $20 game that...
Route 271 closed, injuries reported in Fairfield vehicle crash
Part of Route 271 is closed following a vehicle accident in Fairfield Thursday morning, according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. State police and Mutual Aid Ambulance crews were dispatched to Route 271 near the Westmoreland-Cambria county line around 8:10 a.m. for reports of a two-vehicle crash, the dispatcher said....
Westmoreland developments: Manor restaurant revived, Hempfield welcomes secondhand clothing store
It’s safe to say Julia Gutkowski was born into the restaurant industry. The 19-year-old Irwin resident made her debut in the food business as an eighth grade student in the Penn-Trafford School District while waitressing at Manor Grille — the restaurant her parents, Derek and Megan Gutkowski, operated for more...
Pittsburgh’s Grant Street closed for tree removal
Part of Grant Street in Downtown Pittsburgh will be closed until Friday afternoon as the city removes its Christmas tree and wreaths from the City-County Building, according to the mayor’s office. Grant will be closed between its intersections with Third and Fifth avenues until 2 p.m., the mayor’s office said...
Police charge woman after Facebook feud triggers stabbing in Shaler
A Shaler woman accused of stabbing another woman Thursday afternoon has been charged, according to Allegheny County Police. Shannon M. Jennings, 38, is charged with aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangerment of another person and harassment, according to court records. Police were dispatched to the 200 block of Hugel Drive...
Morning Roundup: 1 injured in Homewood North shooting; pedestrian struck by vehicle in West Homestead
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Jan. 2: ______________________________ 1 injured in Homewood North shooting A man was injured late Thursday in a shooting in Pittsburgh’s Homewood North neighborhood, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Police, fire and EMS crews were dispatched to 7300 Monticello...
Cosmic chaos: Supermoon, meteor shower to grace Western Pa. skies Saturday
Two astronomical phenomena — a supermoon and a meteor shower — will collide in Western Pennsylvania skies Saturday. Supermoons occur between three and four times per year and meteor showers grace skies about six times annually, said Daniel Vanden Berk, director of Saint Vincent College’s Angelo J. Taiani Planetarium. But...
Penn Hills man charged in shooting at South Hills Village Mall
A Penn Hills man has been charged in connection with a shooting Tuesday night at South Hills Village Mall. Elijah E. Brown, 18, is charged with aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, receiving stolen property, carrying a firearm without a license and attempting to elude police,...
Up to 5 inches of snow possible by New Year’s Day
Western Pennsylvanians heading to Downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday evening for First Night festivities should prepare to ring in the new year with snowfall and temperatures in the teens. About 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected to accumulate between mid-afternoon Wednesday and early Thursday morning, said Mike Kennedy, meteorologist...
Western Pa. expected to see respite from windstorms, power outages
Monday’s windstorm that resulted in thousands of power outages throughout Western Pennsylvania appears to be winding down. Gusts peaking around 45 mph to 55 mph left about 10,000 customers without power in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties Monday. As of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, First Energy and Duquesne Light are reporting about...
10 people, 2 cats rescued from Marshall-Shadeland house fire
Ten people and two cats were rescued from a house fire early Tuesday morning in Pittsburgh’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Fire crews were dispatched around 1 a.m. to the 800 block of Woods Run Avenue. The blaze was brought under control around 1:45 a.m., Public Safety said....
Tree of Life gunman appeals death sentence, seeks new hearing
Nearly 2½ years after Robert Bowers was condemned to die for killing 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, his attorneys have appealed the death sentence and are seeking a new sentencing hearing. Bowers’ lawyers raised 16 claims throughout a nearly 500-page legal brief filed earlier this month with the 3rd...
Steelers vs. Browns: What they’re saying in Cleveland after the win
The Pittsburgh Steelers fumbled an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot in their second faceoff against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntingdon Bank Field. The 13-6 final score fell in stark contrast to the Steelers’ 23-9 victory over the Browns at Acrisure Stadium in October. Steelers head coach Mike...
Pa. reports record high monthly gambling revenue, citing rise in sports wagering income
Anthony Procida enjoys betting on his favorite sports teams — namely the Minnesota Vikings and Penn State Nittany Lions. But Procida, 35, of Irwin said he knows himself too well to try out online sportsbooks, which accounted for 95% of sports bets in 2024, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control...
Vandergrift woman pleads guilty to endangering 5 children
A Vandergrift woman pleaded guilty last week to endangering five children who were found living in deplorable conditions. Heidi L. Beer, 35, was sentenced Dec. 19 in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court to serve between three and 23 months of incarceration after pleading guilty to numerous counts each of endangering...
2 injured in Forest Hills shooting
Two people were wounded and taken to hospitals Thursday morning following a shooting in Forest Hills, according to Allegheny County Police. The victims — a woman and a man — were transported in critical but stable condition, according to police. Detectives are investigating. Police were dispatched to the 400 block...
